We discuss Jarrod Dyson a lot in this column. He’s truly what cheap steals are all about. In limited plate appearances he is able to get on base and swipe bags. Not an ideal player to own in weekly leagues, but he can be a huge boost in the steals department for fantasy players in leagues with daily roster moves. So while the Prince of SAGNOF has gotten some love here both in the preseason and throughout the year, he’s getting the lede today just in case you forgot he’s out there (and he probably is with 7.2% ownership at ESPN). Dyson’s 27 steals have come in just 226 plate appearances this season. That’s a steal about every 8 plate appearances. After finishing up the series at Minnesota today, Dyson and the Royals head out to Colorado and Texas. The Rockies have allowed 68 steals, which is middle of the pack in the major leagues in that category. However, their caught stealing percentage (15%) ranks dead last in baseball. Here are some other steals picks for 2014 fantasy baseball…
Outfielders
Jordan Schafer – KC, CLE, DET
After mentioning Schafer last week, he went on to swipe a pair of bags against the Astros. He has six steals for the Twins already and if you trust newswire blurbs, his manager has given him the green light to run. Schafer gets another favorable matchup this week when the Twins face the Tigers. Detroit has allowed the seventh most stolen bases in baseball with 79 steals allowed. The Twins’ outfielder is widely available at just 2% owned and he has recorded hits in seven of his first nine starts with Minnesota.
Ender Inciarte – @WAS, SD
Inciarte has taken on the role of leadoff hitter for the Diamondbacks. His two steals last week came as part of a 14-game hit streak dating back to July 31st. There really isn’t much to get excited about with this Arizona offense, but Inciarte can provide cheap speed down the stretch. Batting leadoff and from the left side, the Diamondbacks’ outfielder is hitting .260/.296/.323 with eight steals in 271 plate appearances. Projected for another 5-7 steals this season, he’ll draw a favorable match up against the Padres later in the week. San Diego has allowed 90 stolen bases, which is the third highest total in the majors.
Matt Szczur – SF, BAL
It would have been fun to see Jorge Soler get the call to replace Dan Straily after his spot-start on Saturday, but instead it is Szczur who gets the call. That’s no disrespect to Szczur who is a good player in his own right. I hear it’s pronounced ‘Caeser’ like the salad for what it’s worth. Whether he is an everyday starter or a bench bat is yet to be determined. The 25-year-old outfielder entered yesterday’s game as a pinch-runner and did show 30+ steal speed in the minor leagues. The Cubs face the Giants this week, who have allowed the fifth most stolen bases in the majors (85). Szczur is a deep league play at the moment and not someone we should get too excited about in 12-teamers.
Infielders
It’s slim pickings for stolen bases from waiver wire middle infielders. Everth Cabrera went down with another injury and Emilio Bonifacio is seeing irregular playing time with the Braves. Meanwhile, Danny Santana has been gobbled up in all but the shallowest of leagues. Gambling on last week’s pick of Jose Ramirez is an option. He swiped a bag Saturday and the Indians will face Minnesota and Houston during this scoring period. The Astros are tenth in the majors for stolen bases allowed, having already given up 76 steals to their opponents. The Twins aren’t far behind, ranking 12th with 74 steals allowed. Ramirez has eligibility at both second base and shortstop. This is a play for the desperate, the deep-leaguer, or perhaps both.